MANCHESTER UNITED'S move for Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao looks in serious doubt after Bayern Munich's David Alaba picked up a long-term injury during the German team's win over Roma.

The Red Devils had been hoping to sign Coentrao in the January transfer window as Real lined up a big-money move for Alaba, but Louis Van Gaal could be forced to look elsewhere after the Austrian was ruled out for three months with knee ligament damage.

Real were only prepared to sanction Coentrao's move to England on the basis that they would land Alaba as a replacement, and with quality left-backs few and far between, the Spanish club would rather keep hold of the Portugal international until their first-choice target is fit again.

We lost a great player who plays fantastic football. It's a shame because he will be out for two or three months

Pep Guardiola

And speaking after his side's 2-0 home win over Roma in the Champions League, Bayern boss Pep Guardiola revealed that Alaba is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He said: "We lost a great player who plays fantastic football. It's a shame because he will be out for two or three months.

"I hope he returns after Christmas as his versatility makes him a very important player for us."